First speech to the group, first training session under the sun of the Clairefontaine training center, first press conference and first strong decision on the captaincy...

The charismatic 54-year-old coach has ushered the Blues into a new era, after five and a half years of gatherings led by Corinne Diacre, dismissed on March 9.

For this baptism of fire at the helm of a women's team, Renard had the words and the looks.

The words? In the secret of the castle of Yvelines, which he discovered, he asked his players "total cohesion" and "an irreproachable state of mind" after several months of tension with the former coach, as he later related in a press conference.

The looks? On the ground at the end of the day, the "Blond Sorcerer" essentially remained in observation, leaving the technical workshops to his assistants Eric Blahic and Laurent Bonadéi and preferring to scrutinize, from a distance, the performances of his troops.

"Group life"

France defender Wendie Renard (L) and midfielder Amel Majri (R) upon their arrival in Clairefontaine, Yvelines, on April 3, 2023 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

"It's usual for me at the beginning of the week. You realize a lot of things when you have an observer role. Gradually, we will get into tactical work and I will take things in hand," he explained.

For Renard, taking charge of one of the favorite selections for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, from July 20 to August 20, looks like a commando mission: only four friendly matches are on the program before the entry of the Blues in the World Cup.

The first two take place in the coming days, against Colombia on Friday (21:10) in Clermont, then against the Canadian Olympic champions four days later in Le Mans.

It was therefore not necessary to drag to establish a hierarchy within the group. And unsurprisingly, he chose his namesake, Wendie Renard, to keep the captain's armband.

The first player in the squad to have "withdrawn" from the selection to ask for changes in management, the Lyonnaise will be assisted by two vice-captains, Grace Geyoro and Eugenie Le Sommer. In cold with Deacon, the latter made her return for the first time in two years.

"I wanted their full buy-in, I'm glad they accepted. Everyone must play their part, group life is important to lead a group to success. We just have to move forward," said Hervé Renard.

The coach did not hesitate to put pressure on the slingers: "We will wait for them at the turn. But I'm sure they're ready," he said. Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Kadidiatou Diani, rebels like Wendie Renard, are however injured for this gathering.

Majri with his daughter

Will the two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner coach be able to quickly adapt to a world he knows little about? He has not been idle in recent days, making an appearance in three Ile-de-France stadiums of Women's D1 this weekend, in Fleury, Paris FC and Paris SG... Rare images of a coach in the stands under the mandate of Corinne Diacre.

Les Bleues striker Delphine Cascarino arrives at the national training centre in Clairefontaine, on April 3, 2023 © FRANCK FIFE / AFP

The work can begin for the former defender, and several projects await him. In particular, he must find an offensive animation in the absence of the two star strikers of the Blues, Katoto and Diani.

The beginning of Hervé Renard's mandate was also marked by a 180-degree turn in the composition of the workforce. In addition to the return of Le Sommer, top scorer in history (86 goals), several faithful of Diacre are absent, such as Montpellier Charlotte Bilbault and Marion Torrent.

The young mother Amel Majri also returns to the Yvelines training center, and will be accompanied during the training camp of her nine-month-old daughter, a first in the history of the selection.

Coincidentally, this new era is also accompanied by a new jersey for the Blues, presented by the Federation and its equipment manufacturer Monday morning. No doubt, a page has been turned.

© 2023 AFP